2018 Goal Adventure

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Good Day & Happy New Year I am  looking forward to 2018

2017 not the best year, but not the worst year either. It was a year of identifying the changes I need to achieve future goals. Change takes huge amount of time, research and dedicated work to make it happen. I am so glad I can move on to implementing the change hopefully in 2018 and see some positive results.

First thing I am doing is setting goals, not resolutions. When you set resolutions often it results in depressing failures. But working towards goals pushes us to achieve and this can lead to fabulous new adventures.

My first goal of my writing career is to find an outstanding children’s literary agent. I truly believe after 10 years of being in this business and published by independent publishers, winning awards, great reviews, and emails from fans, that my books would be best sellers if I was contracted with a children’s publisher. Sadly the majority of children publishers do not accept unsolicited submissions. So you must have a literary agent.   I currently have 5 finished magical realism adventures, that ignites children ages 7-12 imaginations as they fly on the back of Matthias the dragon.  They meet and learn that preconceived notions of creatures and people are not what they seem. Most folks are interesting and enjoy adventures too. Adults that have read my stories have told me they are taken back to their childhood and are reminded of the imaginary adventures they thought of when they were young.    Pure pleasure. The adventures are currently magical realism illustrated chapter books, which could be made into graphic novels for children. I add some Icelandic folklore and cleverly hidden life learning messages as children learn about the Icelandic hidden people.

Book 1: James Saves the Moon–  James, a young boy, sees the moon sitting on the mountain in Iceland. He decides he must touch the moon. Along the way, he meets Syvok, who calls on his friend Matthias a dragon to fly them to the top of the mountain.  The moon is stuck, and the three must work together to release it, without ending up in space themselves.

Book 2: Helga Returns– James adventure begins with a footprint. He once again calls out to his Icelandic magical friends, Syvok and Mattias to discover what it means. He will find Helga the troll who left the footprint. James follows Helga to Yamas, the troll village. Will they be left on a glacier or when the earth tremors will they save the Guardian Troll from danger? Will Syvok and Matthias reach James in time to save him?

Book 3: Tomfoolery and 13 Yule Lads of Iceland–  26 days of Yuletide adventures.  Matthias the dragon knocks on James window and is whisked away to meet the Icelandic 13 Santas.  Christmas Cat gets James in serious trouble and he must go home. Tomfoolery happens as the Yule Lads visit  James every evening 13 days before Christmas. One yule lad must be saved when he falls into a crevice. Fires, dancing, and fireworks to say goodbye to the Icelandic hidden folks at the end of the yuletide season.

Book 4: Amongst the Clouds– James and Syvok 4th adventure has a new mystery floating about. Jame is curious to explore the iridescent cloud. All the colors of a rainbow glow,  surely there are new adventures as the dragons soar. Come along and meet new friends and old enemies. Dragons, cats, old hag and more. Join the adventures up in the sky and help the wizard find her magical key before old Hag steals the magical travel cloud.

Book 5: Sleigh Ride– Santa’s reindeer broke his sleigh! James and Syvok get whisked away to help save the day with Mattias, the dragon. The threes stop at the Yule Lads home to deliver their sleigh to the North Pole.  Along the way they are delayed by a polar bear, searching for her cub, who is floating on a block of ice in the arctic ocean. They must help, but will this delay Santa Claus?

All the above books are Amazon currently. Amazon Wendy Nystrom

 

 

Book 6: Magic Carousel: This book is in the editing stage.  James and his family are planning a trip back home to Minnesota. James is once again whisked away to Helga’s cave. He is given a mission to find a magic carousel at the zoo and see if a mermaid and ogre who went missing a long time ago and turned to stone are on the carousel. Syvok the Icelandic elf/fairy travels with James to Minnesota. They have many comical adventures while vacationing and find the carousel. With the help of all his Icelandic friends, sisters, and carousel caretaker, they work together to bring the mermaid back home. But what about the ogre? How long can they all keep the travel tunnel open?

I am also working on a novel called the New Moon Brethren. This story is magical realism set in Portland, OR. The new moon brethren is a secret society with regional headquarters that were set up on mother earth to take out the dark one regime so that all of mother earth creatures can live out in the open again.  It opens with Blaze the dragon waiting for her team to assemble. Their mission to bring a wolf changeling and her young daughter in, to be protected. The mission does not go as planned. Blaze and her old troman friend lose their mates but save young Isabelle, who may one day become an important leader at the New Moon Brethren. The dark one Delray, who was created, 1000 years ago by mistake due to a poor decision of his dragon mother, wants to bring Isabelle into his regime. She holds the DNA to create the next clan that can control earth. The novel is about halfway done.

A little about author Wendy Nystrom. I grew up in St.Paul, MN and have many adventures at different locations the last 25 years. I started writing epic magical fantasy stories for children while living in Iceland in 2005.  My son looked out the window and saw the moon sitting on the mountain. He then told me he was going to climb the mountain and touch the moon. That evening I dreamed about him going on the adventure and in the morning I was handwriting the story.  One evening while watching the moon on the mountain, changed my life. A key turned and unlocked my imagination.  I have been dreaming and writing adventures since that magical night in Iceland. I earned a BA in urban planning at Texas State University. I am married and have 3 wonderful adventurous children. I have lived many places MN, TX, ID, CO, Iceland, WV, MI. I have held many different job positions, management, customer service, sales, security, and now writing. I have visited classrooms and inspired children to write, as well as participated at a  childrens writing conference. I have been placed on organizations boards in my community

I have been told by many that my writing is original and outstanding. I am a talented storyteller and looking forward to working with someone who can move my writing career forward. I am easy to work with, open to ideas and love learning new things.  I know a little about a  lot of things.

If you are interested in contacting me, my email is wendysbookcase@gmail.com

Thank you for dropping in today. Enjoy the adventure the day brings you.  WB

Magical Realism Adventures Chapter Books Ages 7-12 by Wendy Nystrom

http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Nystrom/e/B0064V1T0O

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What If Adventure

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One of my favorite blogs is https://theblabbermouthblog.com/ by Linda Epstein. Her and guest post are witty, engaging and informative. Last week she announced she was done blogging. This announcement kind of bummed me out for a couple of days. Then it reminded me of how she enlightened me about the business of writing and one of her guest post changed my outlook about writing, and life. The title is “Where Do Writers Get Their Ideas?” by Joe McGee.

What if?  What a great question.This question opens up our imagination, thinking and leads to problem solving plans.  I am incorporating this in to my life, writing and interactions with people. The next time I have the privilege of being in a classroom, conference, presentation, meeting, helping with homework I will ask what if. I have also began using it as I write.  This question is a guiding tool for nearly anything and we don’t even realize it that many of us use this  question while pursuing objectives or goals. What if the moon is sitting on a mountain? I know  when I was writing my first book back in 2005 after my son noticed the moon on the mountain in Iceland. I asked this question what if frequently when writing the story.

James Saves the Moon

I recently ran into a teacher who invites me to her classroom,  at the grocery store. While we were waiting in line, I informed her of my favorite writing blog and the post I mentioned above. “What If” She loved the idea also, and informed me she will use the what if tool in her 4th grade class.

When my children are struggling or frustrated with school work, I am going to ask what if you could solve it. I think this will calm them down to think about using another approach rather than thinking they are not smart enough.

What if you enjoy the adventure the day brings you? I hope you enjoyed the What If  adventure today.

Thanks for dropping in today. Enjoy the Adventures the day brings you! WB Magical Realism Adventures Chapter Books Ages 7-12 by Wendy Nystrom

http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Nystrom/e/B0064V1T0O

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Magical Realism – Fabulism Adventure!

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Today I began a journey reading a post about what agents have been asking for and discovered two genres I have never heard of.  Magical Realism and Fabulism. So I googled them and discovered what the genres mean.

Magical Realism – a style of painting or writing that depicts images or scenes of surreal fantasy in a representational or realistic way.

is a style of writing or painting which sometimes describes dreams as though they were real, and real events as though they were dreams. 

a style in 20th-cent. literature and art that depicts fantastic or magical characters or occurrences in an otherwise realistic presentation  a style of painting or writing that depicts images or scenes of surreal fantasy in a representational or realistic way.

Fabulism – (literature) A form of magic realism in which fantastical elements are placed into an everyday setting.

I was like WOW! My writing fits these genres! I am a Fabulist, who uses magical realism.  No wonder kids and adults can relate and enjoy my stories. My children’s series for ages 7-12 are magical adventures set in the here and now.

Where would your imagination go if you saw the moon on a mountain and you decided to touch it? What happens if you discover a huge footprint and your fairy friend and dragon and show you whose foot it belongs too?How cool to have a dragon knock on your window and take you on a wild adventure and talk via telepathically. You look at a unusual cloud and wonder what could be hidden inside. You are whisked away on dragons back to help legendary yule tide characters. What happens when a troll takes you inside a mountain? I truly enjoy that my writing releases children’s imagination and reminds adults the adventures we had letting our imaginations run wild as children. 

My novel New Moon Brethren that I am working on, is not urban fantasy. It is Magical Realism also set in the here and now city environment with a secret society of all of Mother Earths thinking creatures, humans, gnostics, dragons, tromans, changelings, fairies etc working together to fight the dark ones regime so Mother Earth can find balance again. As a author I am lucky, I can have imaginary friends (muses)and travel with them and not be considered mentally ill.

As I continue on my quest to find an agent, two new words will be added to my query letter Magical Realism and Fabulism or Fabulist. Award winning of course!

Thanks for dropping in today. Enjoy the Adventures the day brings you! WB

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Imagining and Dreaming Future Adventure!

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I googled, dragon imagine the possibilities, and this wonderful graphic popped up. I don’t know the artist, but this is enchanting and beautiful.

Imagining and dreaming about the future. What it would be like to see children’s eyes light up after reading one of my books and telling me their stories. What if an agent emailed and said I love your imagination. I want more, let’s get to work on opening children’s imaginations so they can soar. Children publisher’s will fight over your stories.
Looking at my various query letters and notes. Wondering how I grab the imagination of a literary agent. Let them know when the dragon knocks at your window the imagination flies with the dragon on a wondrous adventure. Children need their imaginations to be allowed to fly.
Getting ready for when many agencies and publishers open back up in September, asking for submissions. Well that is where my imagination adventure flew today.

Thanks for dropping in today. Enjoy the Adventures the day brings you! WB

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Imaginary Friends Adventure

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Good Day Folks,

I was looking up children’s literary agents and discovered one with the same first name as my childhood imaginary friend. So I sent her a query. I have not heard anything back yet, which is ok that is how this business works. Then I saw a advertising for a new show where an adult’s imaginary friend comes back in her life. This imaginary friend is weird looking muppet thing and speaks loudly. I thought how strange.

This also made me think of my childhood imaginary friend Suzie. She did not look like a muppet or speak loud ever to me. She was a little girl like me and we usually whispered, when others were around. We could communicate telepathically of course. She had long dark brown hair. When in my room alone we chatted in normal tones. Oh we had so much fun playing with my toys, kitchen set or taking care of my gerbil. We also enjoyed being outside. One of the best things we did together was follow along and listen to books with my record player.

Did any of you have a record player when you were a kid? I had a player like the picture. Our two favorite record books was Wizard of OZ and Peter Pan. Oh Suzie and I had so much fun together. Then when I was 6, my brother came home from the hospital a wonderful day, I was so happy to get a brother. Suzie was gone. Funny thing is I was not sad. Actually I did not think about her after my brother came home.I guess she went to play with another lonely child. I do have fond memories of her.

Now that I am a writer, I seem to have many imaginary friends. My favorites is Blaze the dragon and Carolyn a human. They helped me during a medical issue three years ago. When resting Blaze would visit me in my dreams and fly me away to her mountain retreat to heal. It was wonderful. It was an enchanting place built high up the mountains with beautiful views. In the back there was a patio that led to a mountain lake. We played cards and chatted in the library and when I rested on the lounge seat she would gently place a blanket on me while I read and napped.  They tell me stories and we are working on a novel about the New Moon Brethren. A new character is talking with me occasionally Isabelle or Izzy. She is a child that Blaze adopted after her parents were killed by the Daray the dark one. Occasionally I have to listen to him as well. He has big plans to take over mother earth.

Now my children’s series, ideas came from my son and I would dream the stories. It was like watching a tv series.

My son had an imaginary friend named Logan until his twin sisters were born. I remember seeing him looking at the mirror and talking with Logan, when he was 2. I asked him who Logan was and he said his friend. Would not tell me anything else about Logan.

Well I hope this agent is interested in my work. I really look forward to one day working with an agent who  can sell my work ,have great advice and good conversations.

Did you have a imaginary friend? Do any of your children have an imaginary friend?

Well that is my adventure story today. Hope you enjoyed it.

Thanks for dropping in today. Enjoy the Adventures the day brings you! WB

https://www.facebook.com/Wendysbookcase

Writers Adventures 1

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Good Day Folks,

I have had some changes in 2016.

I spent the beginning of last year thinking of where my writing adventure needs to go. I have spent most of the year focused on finding a Children’s Literary Agent. Having an agent that knows and understands the children’s market would, one send more children on wild adventures and help them release their inner magic we all have within us. Second allow me more time to write more adventures. Third move my writing career to the next level. So I spend a lot of time researching, writing queries. So far I have received some very nice rejections. I still am hopeful though. Just need to keep plugging away, that’s the business. I am also blessed my friend Pam Stack at Authors on the Air Global Radio Network http://www.authorsontheair.com/  https://www.facebook.com/authorsontheairglobalradionetwork read a couple of my books and told me she loved my original writing, will save the adventure for her granddaughter.. She brightened up my day with her kind review and told me to keep plugging away some one will want to represent me. Check out her interviews and the other interviews on Authors On the Air. I emailed a query this morning. Wish me luck!

I also started doodling on rocks. I saw a post called doodle stones and so I started seeing pictures in stones and doodling on rocks, then leave them around town to brighten up folks day. Here is a couple I have done. It relaxes me.

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 I am still writing. Editing book 6 in my children’s series Well that is all I am going to say today. Next post I will talk about what I have been imagining. Thanks for dropping in today. Enjoy the Adventures the day brings you! WB

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Joan H. Young Anastasia Raven Mystery Books Adventure

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Good Day Folks,

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Today I would like to introduce Anastasia Raven Mystery books written by Joan H. Young to you. I love this series. Joan H. Young is a talented author. I have had the pleasure to meet her at an authors event I organized. I downloaded one of her books and enjoyed this series.

Anastasia Raven recently divorced after discovering her husband is gay and wants to be with his lover. Her son is away at college. She purchases a fixer upper  home in a small town in Michigan and discovers all kinds of characters while rebuilding her life.  While hiking at Dead Mule Swamp she also seems to stumble onto murder and assists with solving the mystery. It is pure pleasure to become part of Anastasia Raven’s adventures. When I read these mystery novels by Joan H. Young, I feel I am right there with Anastasia Raven, making new friends, renovating her farmhouse, getting involved with community events and wondering about each mystery she discovers. I highly recommend these books. I am patiently waiting for book 5 in this series.  Joan H. Young also writes about her true adventures while hiking. A little about Joan. Check her authors page on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Joan-H.-Young/e/B001K8UBU0

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Joan Young has enjoyed the out-of-doors her entire life. Highlights of her outdoor adventures include Girl Scouting, which provided yearly training in camp skills, and the opportunity to engage in a 10-day canoe trip, and numerous short backpacking excursions. She was selected to attend the 1965 Senior Scout Roundup in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, an international event to which 10,000 girls were invited. She has ridden a bicycle from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean in 1986, and completed the North Country National Scenic Trail on August 3, 2010. Her total mileage was 4395 miles. Young is the first woman to hike the entire trail, and the 9th person overall to complete it on foot.

She also writes a monthly column for the Ludington Daily News called “Get Off the Couch.”

Hope you enjoyed getting to know Anastasia Raven Mystery series and the talented author Joan H. Young. Thanks for dropping in today. Enjoy the Adventures the day brings you! WB

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What Happened to the Boy Who Wanted to Touch the Moon

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James Saves the Moon

James Saves the Moon

Good Day Folks,

Today, I woke up wondering what happened to the boy who wanted to touch the moon and inspired me to dream again. Every morning this smart imaginative child would tell me all the places he went during the night. I remember him telling a doctor in kindergarten how he wanted to be an archeologists and he said it correctly. He wanted to visit the pyramids and told him all about them and other information about Egypt. The doctor was so impressed with this little boy, he took him back to his lab to show him how he tested the blood to find out what could be wrong with people. The little boy who went missing one day in Akureyri, Iceland, who got lost but excitedly told me about all the people and places he discovered finding his way home.

I wonder when did I lose the boy who dreamed big things and wanted adventure. This little boy is now an young adult and headed down a raggedy path full of gnarly branches that keep grabbing him.  I wonder will he find a smoother path and look up see the light glittering on a drip of water, with the dragons reflection  that floats down and lands on his forehead from the cold ice melting on those crooked branches as new colorful leaves begin to bud to  release the dreams and see the beauty of wonder and adventure again. When he wipes the drip will the dragon be there for him to take flight.  Hope

WB.

Online events, water and sickies adventure!

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Good Day Folks,

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authorspotlightThis week I am hosting a Children’s Author Spotlight. There is a new one every week. This is fun as well. Authors, parents join to find out about children’s books. Folks have the opportunity to ask about my books, and writing adventures. Authors ask about the writing business.  I really enjoy chatting, sharing with folks. Tonight at 9pm EST, I will be randomly giving away two ebooks from amazon. Join the event and find the post that gets you in the drawing by just leaving a comment on the post. Here is the link Wendy Nystrom Children’s Author Spotlight.

springflingAnchor Group Publishing, my publisher is hosting a Spring Fling all month. Last week I had a blast hosting a day. The participates are so much fun. If you are looking for new authors, books, prizes join the FB event here is the link a different author each day many genres. Anchor Group Publishing Spring Fling

bethalexMy two dragonets(twin daughters)  have been sick this week each. Daughter B, two days behind Daughter A. Both are back in school today. Interesting last night my daughter informed me that my treatment suggestions for fever, sore throat and cough she discovered online at some site. I said, so now do you think I know what I am talking about. Sure is a different. When I was a kid, pretty much what mom or dad suggested to feel better was believed even if the cough medicine tasted awful, we took it no questions asked. Now, kids check online to confirm family remedies. I don’t use over the counter cold and flu medicines. I have not for many years now. I find they do very little and often make things worse. Although if a temperature goes over 101 I will give them a Tylenol or Advil. In most cases a low temperature is a good thing, it means your body is naturally fighting the illness. Of course if it lasts more than 5 days, a doctors visit maybe needed to see if it is a bacterial infection.  Here is my recipe for most cold and flu issues

1/2 teaspoon of honey

1/4 teaspoon ginger and turmeric

1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice

Warm or cold water (fill glass)

Now my girls do not care for honey so I mask the taste by adding 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.

Mix with a spoon and ask them to drink it. You can give them as many glasses they will drink. It does make them feel better. By the way my husband and  I drink a glass of this every morning.

I also give everyone a cod liver supplement daily. During the winter months I take 2 to 3 a day. Kids just one a day if they will take it. It is important to get vitamin D in your diet during the dark months of the year. Besides vitamin C. Our bodies do not store D and the sun is one of the sources for Vitamin D. It is needed to keep your immune system strong. Cod liver is a good source for this. The girls were better in 4 days. I am lucky my family does not get ill that often.

The other thing I suggest is gargle with salt water. Helps clear flem, and heal the sore throat. I also have my family drop a couple of drops of saline nasal spray. I just drop a couple drops on their fingers and they sniff them up.  This way I do not have to purchase a bottle for each person.  Now my kids are old enough to take care of this themselves. Helps with stuffed up noses. My favorite brand of saline nasal spray is Ocean. 

All these remedies I use confirmed by my daughters research online. So happy.

My other adventure is being part of the Water Protectors in my county. A couple of months ago I saw a post of an informational meeting about a permit for an injection well to dump toxic brine waste caused from fracking.  By the end of the meeting I was on the board of the water protectors. What an adventure this is turning into. This group of people have done so much research and keep at it to stop the injection well permit. It appears since states around us are putting a stop to dumping toxic waste underground from fracking in injection wells. Due to poisoning water and earthquakes. Michigan and my county have been targeted to become a dumping ground for oil and gas companies to transport this toxic brine waste from fracking. We have already had earthqakes happen in another area from injection wells in my state. Water has been poisoned and will be poisoned. Now why would our department MIDEQ who is suppose to protect our water been allowing a state with 20% of the worlds fresh water supply to become a toxic waste site. And the EPA also has to sign off on this stuff why would they allow it too. Instead of creating our own non-profit group, we have now become a committee under the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation. Link http://www.savemiwater.org/ and will continue to fight against becoming a toxic waste site.

Well that is my adventures lately. Thank you for stopping in. Enjoy the Adventure the day brings you. WB WendyBookcaseLogo

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Authorpalooza Grand Adventure!

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Good Day Folks,

Well, I did good. Successfully organized another authorpalooza event in my small city. It went very smoothly and everyone seemed to enjoy the event. I sure enjoyed meeting more authors in person. The visitors were fun too. We added Ferris State Theatre Students. They dressed up as characters from books. They were awesome.

 

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My wonderful PA Candice Simpson from It Girls P.R., who helped me, was able to attend this event. She kept me focused and helped woman my table when I needed to be away. Midway through the event she called me over and whispered in my ear. Look at that teenager with the folder. He is talking to all the authors. He wants to be a writer. It made me smile.

Later I saw him 944008_10154525344728056_5509511732237447250_n12715739_10154525706393056_271849495800417129_nsitting at a table outside the room with his Grandmother.  I stopped and asked him did he enjoy meeting the authors. His face lit up and so did his Grandmothers. They both told me it was wonderful to talk with them. He showed his Grandmother all the notes he took and some of the things he learned. He wants to be a writer some day. This is what it is all about! It made my entire day. I was tired and wondering if I would ever organize another one before I chatted with the teenager and his grandmother.  Inspiring young people to go after their dreams is a wonderful feeling. I found out later from a friend they drove a hour and half to come to authorpalooza. Makes me tear up with joy.

I would like to thank all the authors for talking with this young person. I also want to thank Festival of Arts Board members for organizing a month long celebration of arts and including authorpalooza this year.  Thank you Candice for letting me know about him too.

I would like to thank our host A.J at the Gate. He was fabulous. The Gate is a fabulous place to hold an event.

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Final thought. One of the reasons I write epic adventures chapter books for ages 7-12  is the hope that when the dragon flies so will children’s imagination as they read .  Wild imagination allowed to be free brings us new ideas, things and enjoyment.

3 of my books are currently on sale.

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Wendy Nystrom Amazon authors page link

 

 

I currently have 5 children epic adventure illustrated chapter books available for kids ages 7-12. Hope you enjoyed today’s adventure. Thanks for stopping in. Enjoy the adventure the day brings you. WB  WendyBookcaseLogo

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